Red Sea Pro vs Hanna vs API for Nitrates

Scottiemac

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I've been using the TM/FM Marine test (not Comp) through the Mastertronic for around a year. It's always given me ranges from 5-8 ppm. I wrote Red Sea in the title and can't edit it.

Today I ran a check with the Hanna HR checker. It gave me a reading of 55 ppm.

I brought out my old, trusty API tester with unexpired reagents and it's giving me something in the high 10s.

It seems as though the TM/FM test is about in line with the API test, but I've always been under the impression that Hanna checkers are the most accurate. This is worrisome.

I'm running the TM/FM Marine Comp test now and will post that when complete. I don't have the materials to run the test manually.

In people's experience, should I trust the Hanna checker more?

One additional tid-bit of information is that I have to load the C1 on the Hanna checker about six times before it finally jumps to C2. It is supposed to go to C2 in just a few seconds, and if I wait it will eventually get there in about 20 seconds. Yet someone told me that if it doesn't go there right away I should re-do it.
 

exnisstech

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Which Hanna checker are you using? I use the hi range. Turn an and at C1 add vial of water and press button. At C2 remove vial add reagent and shake for 2 minutes then place back in tester and press and hold the button to start the 7 minute count down.
EDIT : Sometimes mine seems to take longer to show C1 but I just wait.
 
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Scottiemac

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Which Hanna checker are you using? I use the hi range. Turn an and at C1 add vial of water and press button. At C2 remove vial add reagent and shake for 2 minutes then place back in tester and press and hold the button to start the 7 minute count down.
EDIT : Sometimes mine seems to take longer to show C1 but I just wait.

Yeah that's the issue. When it says add C1 I add it, press the button, and then it takes a long time to get to say add C2. Eventually it'll just take a few moments and that's when I proceed.
 
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Scottiemac

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I hated red Sea pro tests.

Never used api for nutrients.

I now own hanna and get consistent results.
Yeah see the remark in my original post; I wrote Red Sea but it's actually Fauna Marin. Can't edit the title.

I don't use API for anything unless cycling; not going to waste good tests on a cycle. But I still had it and wanted to compare.

The issue is that API and Fauna Marine seemed very much aligned, while Hanna HR was significantly different.
 

Miami Reef

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It is supposed to go to C2 in just a few seconds, and if I wait it will eventually get there in about 20 seconds. Yet someone told me that if it doesn't go there right away I should re-do it.
It’s interesting that the checkers do that sometimes, right?

Sometimes it’s instant and sometimes it lags.

When it takes an unusual amount of time to zero the reading, I clear it and try again. I don’t know if it makes a difference in the result, but it makes me feel better lol.
 

Daz_1978

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I would normally say trust the Hanna, but… That sounds a little odd. Mine usually goes from C1 to C2 in just a few seconds after pressing the button.

Have you tried replacing the battery?
5 vs 55 is a huge discrepancy.
 

Salty_Northerner

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It’s interesting that the checkers do that sometimes, right?

Sometimes it’s instant and sometimes it lags.

When it takes an unusual amount of time to zero the reading, I clear it and try again. I don’t know if it makes a difference in the result, but it makes me feel better lol.
I believe its zeroing itself out, or just calibrating to the vial. If anybody gets weird numbers grab a Qtip and some 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and lightly swab the light diode and the sensor across from the diode. It only takes a few seconds to dry and is clean as a whistle. A lot of time one wouldn't suspect any contamination but you'd be surprised.
 
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Scottiemac

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Ok and if it takes 20 seconds what value do you get if you continue the test?
I don't test when it takes that long but instead redo the C1 until it only takes a moment.

Look, that is a separate issue. Working properly, the Hanna should only take maybe three or four seconds to go from C1 to C2, and that is when I test.

The main issue is that I'm getting dramatically different results between Hanna and Fauna Marin/API.
 

VintageReefer

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I don't test when it takes that long but instead redo the C1 until it only takes a moment.

Look, that is a separate issue. Working properly, the Hanna should only take maybe three or four seconds to go from C1 to C2, and that is when I test.

The main issue is that I'm getting dramatically different results between Hanna and Fauna Marin/API.
I’m saying try just waiting it out once to see if you get a normal result. What happens?
 

Miami Reef

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I’m saying try just waiting it out once to see if you get a normal result. What happens?
It’ll probably read fine, but who wants to take that chance? The test takes about 9 minutes to complete, and the C1 reading happens right in the beginning. It’s too easy to just clear it and try again.

The Hanna checkers about 9/10 take about a second or two to process the C1 reading. If it takes over 10 seconds, it almost seems like it glitched out.

I can continue the test next time the delay happens and report back. I think it will have the same results, but we’ll never know until we try.
 

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